The picture
Defender: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 132,856 MOT tests, the Defender returns 72.7% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a torn steering gaiter. A worn shock-absorber bush and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 108,224, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
5,721 occurrences · 4.3% of tests
- 02
A shock absorber bush excessively worn
4,899 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 03
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
4,514 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 04
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
4,136 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 05
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
4,038 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 06
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
3,060 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 07
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
2,976 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 08
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
2,533 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 09
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
2,419 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 10
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
2,205 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£120–£330
If every one of this Defender's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Buying or keeping a Defender?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Defender and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.